Endangered Mammal Emerged in Indonesia’s Province of Papua After Being Elusive for 60 Years

A team of researchers went on an expedition in a mountainous area in Indonesia's province of Papua. According to reports, they finally uncovered the long-lost species of Attenborough's long-beaked echidna.

The egg-laying mammal had become elusive to experts and people for about 60 years. The recent expedition shows that Attenborough's long-beaked echidna is not extinct but requires immediate protection and conservation efforts.

The egg-laying mammal had become elusive to experts and people for about 60 years. The recent expedition shows that Attenborough's long-beaked echidna is not extinct but requires immediate protection and conservation efforts.

The discovery of new species is important, especially due to habitat loss.

However, some animals have evaded the monitoring of researchers for many years, including the case of Attenborough's long-beaked echidna.

Elusive Attenborough's Long-Beaked Echidna

According to the Expedition Cyclopes, Attenborough's long-beaked echidna has been a long-lost species. The first-ever video reveals that the species is still present in the wild, and is not extinct. It is an important animal in Indonesia's Cyclops Mountains.

The egg-laying mammal had evaded scientists for about 60 years. Based on the animal's look, the spines seem like a hedgehog with the feet of a mole. The weird animal is part of the monotremes or an egg-laying mammal.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has classified the species of Attenborough's long-beaked echidna as 'Critically Endangered.'

The Attenborough's long-beaked is believed to come to Earth about 200 million years ago. The emergence of the animal shows a living fossil of the past, which was present when dinosaurs were on the planet.

However, the animal's discovery was not easy. Scientists had to deal with dangerous and mountainous areas in Indonesia's province of Papua. According to reports, the team of experts had to cross sunken vines, thorns and falling rocks.

The researchers explained threats of malaria and earthquake, including a leech that almost went inside an eyeball while having the expedition.

However, discovering the elusive animal offered relief to experts, knowing they were not extinct. As a result, the researchers emphasized the urgent protection of their species and habitat.

The animal is considered distinct from other mammals. The Attenborough's long-beaked echidna is not easy to locate because they are mostly in burrows or nocturnal.

How Did They Catch the Elusive Nocturnal Animal?

According to recent reports, the scientists used 80 trail cameras to see for potential Attenborough's long-beaked echidna. It was challenging to install the cameras in the mountains. The team tried to check for any echidna for about four weeks.

Finally, the team managed to film a species of echidna. They also unearthed new species of insects in the region.

Did you know? According to recent reports, Attenborough's long-beaked echidna name originated from David Attenborough. David managed to catch a picture of the rare animal.

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